daveduke67
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Sky Sports can today confirm that Manchester Uniteds legendary right back, Gary Neville, has signed a £15m five season deal with Sky Sports.
Sky chief Mike Hockismall said today 'This is a major signing for Sky Sports and we are looking forward to Gary's training on handling the Computer Operational Central Knowledge System - Andy Gray had a real grip on this. We're hoping that Gary can get his head around it soon and maybe make his debut on the Derby game which United are expected to win.
We have been courting Gary for a few seasons now but his remarkable form for the greatest club in the world has meant that we have to wait until now. Sir Alex Ferguson finally told us that we had permision to talk to Gary last week at one of the regular lunches in Manchester that our top brass have with Sir Alex and some of the FA and PL chiefs.
We are confident that viewers will soon warm to Gary's exciting and individual style of commentary - we've had emails from both sides in Merseyside and the blue side of Manchester saying that fans are looking forward to Gary's first game where Gary will be taken at face value and previous grudges will be dropped. Garys insight into the game and contacts within the FA and Referees Association should get us information that once once only available to a select few at his present club.'
Mr Hockismalls deputy, Warrick Hunt, goes on to say that Gary has been given carte blanche on which matches Sky will cover and also who he will have in the studio with him. Although Sky will not say exactly who he has lined up it was hinted that Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Martin Buchan were in talks with the network.
He has some great ideas for new shows too. With the success of another clubs year long documentary following their fans around throughout the season we are looking into doing something similar. Rather than have to focus on the limited Manchester base, Sky are looking to make this an international series venturing to the Far East, the US, Ireland and London. With United looking to start working closer with the local community Sky are hoping to team up with the club and report on how United are putting something back into the local community rather than spending money on new players. The scheme, provisionally called Directing Education Beyond Tomorrow should be up and running once Government and Lottery funding to cover the whole cost is in place. We shall also be looking at how the most successful club in the world are improving what is arguably the greatest football arena in the world. A community square with bars and cafes where the fans can meet before and after the game is in the early stages of development and we will be follwing that closely. It has been rumoured that the owners are showing that the green and gold protests are not bothering them and have integrated it into the name of the area - Red And Green Square.
The cost of the £15m contract, which dwarfs the £1.7m 3 year deal of Andy Gray, is to be met from a £5 per month increase in Sky Sports monthly charge. This is expected to be waived for anyone who is already subscribed to MUTV. Subscribers to MUTV already enjoy a £6 reduction in subscription and free HD service compared to other Sky subscribers.
Hunt signs off with 'Finally I would just again like to humbly thank Sir Alex for allowing Gary to come and join us. To have one of the greatest players, from the greatest club in the world on the greatest channel in the world is a dream come true'
-----------------------------------
In the words of Duncan Ballantyne
'I'm out'
Sky Sports can today confirm that Manchester Uniteds legendary right back, Gary Neville, has signed a £15m five season deal with Sky Sports.
Sky chief Mike Hockismall said today 'This is a major signing for Sky Sports and we are looking forward to Gary's training on handling the Computer Operational Central Knowledge System - Andy Gray had a real grip on this. We're hoping that Gary can get his head around it soon and maybe make his debut on the Derby game which United are expected to win.
We have been courting Gary for a few seasons now but his remarkable form for the greatest club in the world has meant that we have to wait until now. Sir Alex Ferguson finally told us that we had permision to talk to Gary last week at one of the regular lunches in Manchester that our top brass have with Sir Alex and some of the FA and PL chiefs.
We are confident that viewers will soon warm to Gary's exciting and individual style of commentary - we've had emails from both sides in Merseyside and the blue side of Manchester saying that fans are looking forward to Gary's first game where Gary will be taken at face value and previous grudges will be dropped. Garys insight into the game and contacts within the FA and Referees Association should get us information that once once only available to a select few at his present club.'
Mr Hockismalls deputy, Warrick Hunt, goes on to say that Gary has been given carte blanche on which matches Sky will cover and also who he will have in the studio with him. Although Sky will not say exactly who he has lined up it was hinted that Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Martin Buchan were in talks with the network.
He has some great ideas for new shows too. With the success of another clubs year long documentary following their fans around throughout the season we are looking into doing something similar. Rather than have to focus on the limited Manchester base, Sky are looking to make this an international series venturing to the Far East, the US, Ireland and London. With United looking to start working closer with the local community Sky are hoping to team up with the club and report on how United are putting something back into the local community rather than spending money on new players. The scheme, provisionally called Directing Education Beyond Tomorrow should be up and running once Government and Lottery funding to cover the whole cost is in place. We shall also be looking at how the most successful club in the world are improving what is arguably the greatest football arena in the world. A community square with bars and cafes where the fans can meet before and after the game is in the early stages of development and we will be follwing that closely. It has been rumoured that the owners are showing that the green and gold protests are not bothering them and have integrated it into the name of the area - Red And Green Square.
The cost of the £15m contract, which dwarfs the £1.7m 3 year deal of Andy Gray, is to be met from a £5 per month increase in Sky Sports monthly charge. This is expected to be waived for anyone who is already subscribed to MUTV. Subscribers to MUTV already enjoy a £6 reduction in subscription and free HD service compared to other Sky subscribers.
Hunt signs off with 'Finally I would just again like to humbly thank Sir Alex for allowing Gary to come and join us. To have one of the greatest players, from the greatest club in the world on the greatest channel in the world is a dream come true'
-----------------------------------
In the words of Duncan Ballantyne
'I'm out'
